90/100
Little Big Town’s newest record, “Pain Killer” does exactly that.
Little Big Town is a country group comprised of four members: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet. The great thing about this band is there’s no one controlling leader. The tracks on “Pain Killer” shift back and forth between female solos, male solos and duets. At first listen, you’re not sure when you’ll hear what, making each track’s beginning a little surprise.
But, the album still has a cohesive feel. The four members’ voices blend together making it feel like a well, put together group project.
Little Big Town also has that real country feel.
While many recent country releases take on more of a pop feel, “Pain Killer” feels like real country with quality music and lyrics.
The track “Faster Gun” is a direct example of this. Male vocals are the primary vocals on this track with female backup vocals. The song has heavy guitar instrumental and feels rock-influenced, but still gives feels like a country album.
“Day Drinking” is another track like this but led by female vocals. It also has more of an upbeat tone, making it a fun track as opposed to a darker song like “Faster Gun.”
Little Big Town sticking with a strict country genre is refreshing. Many bands sound more like a compilation of everything or as they release more records, start to lose their sound. However, this band hasn’t done that. It stays true to its genre and sound the way it should.
“Pain Killer” is also a multi-faceted album with a mix of heavy tracks and light songs.
An album that allows for a variation of mood creates a record that listeners will not get tired of quickly. Being able to pull different tracks for different feelings makes a full listen to the album not boring and allows for individual tracks to be added on playlists.
Little Big Town has released something that will remind country artists exactly what they should be striving for when recording an album.